Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, sent an email urging supporters to contribute to Nestande. Issa described the 36th as a rare opportunity for the GOP to swipe a seat from a Democrat in solidly blue California.

"Brian is running for Congress in a district described as a 'toss-up' seat, one of only 9 in the entire country," wrote Issa, one of the House's highest-profile Republicans thanks to his chairmanship of the House Oversight Committee and his investigations into Benghazi, IRS oversight of tea party groups and other matters.

Darrell Issa

"This is one of only two seats in California where there is an incumbent in a district that Republicans have a registration advantage. This is our opportunity to take the GOP off the 'endangered species' list in California."

The GOP holds a 2.1 percent voter-registration edge in the 36th, which includes desert communities, Banning, Beaumont and Hemet. Republican Mary Bono represented the district for 14 years until Ruiz defeated her in 2012.

Nestande also is getting help from the National Republican Congressional Committee, which recently added him to its "Young Guns" program. "Young Guns" rewards GOP candidates who have met certain organizational and fundraising benchmarks.

Nestande is gathering GOP support as former state lawmaker and outspoken conservative Ray Haynes is strongly considering a run for the 36th. Haynes has said he'll make a final decision by mid-February.

Raul Ruiz

Ruiz, who's emphasized a moderate image since coming to Congress, is getting help from Democrats in Washington as he seeks re-election for the first time. He is part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Frontline" program created to protect vulnerable Democrats.

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